isn't it plausible the shape of the deal we do what obama ran on on the tax cuts, on the tax increases and we're going to study the future spending cuts? isn't that the face-saving way out? >> it's tax reform, part of that conversation in the background. but i think simpson-bowles is more of a way out for the gop than some folks may think. i think generally the public, conservatives included, like the ideas that are enunciated in the plan. i think certainly more conservative members in the house and the senate have spoken favorably of it. it gives you a framework to begin the conversation and i was surprised that neither the president nor mitt romney actually took that as sort of a bull whip to kind of shape the argument. >> talking like that, that's why you referred to as former republican connection. >> there's a funny kind of -- there's an interesting, you know, i don't know, third option. i don't think it will come to this but there's sort of, you know, let's say we go over the cliff. the republicans do not -- they hold firm. we go over the cliff, then we'll no doubt reinstate the